Bookkeeper&#39;s desk



June 24, 1930. l G, W SCHULZ 1,765,742

BOOKKEEPERS DESK Filed March 21, 1927 2 Shee'ts-Sheet l June 24, 1930. Q W, SCHULZ 1,765,742

BOOKKEEPER s DESK Filed March 2'1, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2- Patented June 24, 1930 uNi'rED STATI-:s mirri-:NT` Aori-ics GEORGE W. SCHULZ, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASBIGNOR '.lO YAWAN d'. ERBE -KANU- FACTURING CO., OIF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION F NEW YORK BOOKXEEIERS DESK Application led Hai-oh 2l, 1827. Serial No. 176,981.

My invention relates to improvements in desks, and more particularly to improvements in tolps for bookkeepers desks.

One of t e objects of my invention is to provide a small compact desk for use with bookkeeping or adding machines and the like and yet provide a maximum amount of top space.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for readily increasing the area of the desk top wherein the desk top comprises two parts, one slidable in relation to the other and adapted to be easily extended therefrom with the least possible eiort on the part of .the user.

Another object of my invention is to provide an lextensible desk top which when extended maintains the original entire width of the top.

Another object of my invention .is to providean extensible desk top lwhich extension is not limited by the size of the top of the desk. 'y v A further object of my invention is to provide adesk top whichis readily adaptable for use with a bookkeeping or other machine in such a manner that the operator .may assume the most comfortable and convenient position and still have ready access to the machine and books or ledgers.

A still further object of my invention is .to provide a desk top which is readily attachable to or detachable from the ordinary type of bookkeepers desk and'is simple in "construction, easy to operate and economical provide an economy of space and at the saine time, when it often becomes necessary to examine large bulky ledgers which are awkward to handle in the space provided on the top of the usual desk,- and when it is desirable to have extra to space for `sorting various papers, such as c ecks, bills and the like, the ordinary type of bookkeepers desk is inadequate.

In my invention I have produced a device I -for the use of large bulky posting ledgers or account books and room to sort checks and other papers. A guard rail is rovided at the back and sides of the toppto prevent papers from being thrown from or blown off the desk. The means for increasing the surface area of the desk and reducing it readily at will is operable in a quick and simple manner.

Means is also provided to prevent the accidental over extension of the desk top.

These and other objects, advantages and. features of my invention will readily become apparent through the following description and accompanying drawings in which: i

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofv a bookkeeperfs desk embodying the' features of my invention illustrating the top in an extended position in dotted lines, and showing a bookkeeping machine in operating position adiacent to said desk' 1g. 2 is a front View of the desk shown in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the desk top of my invention ltaken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l1;

Fig./ is a side elevation of the desk top shown 1n its closed position;

Fig. is a side elevation of the desk top shown in extended position with parts broken away to illustrate certain details more clearly; I

Fig. 6 is `an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4.-. n Referring` now to the drawings in detail in which like reference characters designate like parts throughthe several views, Fig. 1

yillustrates a bookkeepers desk designed and embodying the features of my invention.

The construction is preferabl of sheet metal, owing to its strength an fire resistin ualities, but may be made of any other sulta le material.

The desk consists of sheet metal side panels 11 and has a plurality of suitable drawers 12 which are used for tiling various cards,` pa rs and the like, and the interior design o which may be made convenient and suitable to the type of bookkeeping for which the desk is to be used.

My invention consists of a particular top for this desk which has a telescopic arrangement and is extensible to increase the working space of the top. This top is indicated in general by the numeral 10 and is designed with one rear corner partly cut away to facilitate its use in conjunction with bookkeeping or other machines wherein such a space is desirable to allow for the shifting of the motor carriage of the machine when it is placed in a desirable close position to the desk.

The top 10 comprises a metal top 15 having upwardly extending sides 16 formed 1ntegral therewith along the sides to guard against papers beingvaccidentally displaced from the top. A second top 17 is provided which has upwardly extending sides 18 suitably fastened thereto, as will hereinafter be described, which form a guard rail at the sides and rearward v I (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). hese guard rails 18 have overlapping upper edges 21 which are turned inwardly and are adapted to receive the upwardly extending sides 16 of the top member 15 in a cooperative manner, so that the sides 16 are slidable therein. The top 17 has a pair of downwardly extending ledges 19 formed on either side of the desk and arranged in parallel as illustrated in Fig. 3. Angular rail members 20 are permanently joined along the parallel edges 19 of the top 17 in any suitable manner, preferably by spot welding. The lower vertlcal portions of the members 20 are provided with holes 21a which are adapted to receive bolts 22 or other suitable fastenings means. The parallel members 20 are adapted overlap the sides 11 of the desk, as shown 1n Fig. 3. The bolts 22 may be extended through the holes 21a and through suitable holes 1n the sides 11 of the desk to securely fasten the top -17 thereto. Thus we have the top 17 rigidly secured to the` desk, so that it is stationary.

The downwardly projecting portions 19 of the top member 1 are flared at the bottom to form horizontally disposed edges 23.

extending outwardly therefrom. These horizontally disposed edges 23 and horizontal ortions 24 of the angular rail members 20 orm a roove 25 therebetween. Angu ar channel members 27 having horlzontally disposed flanges 28 and 29 extendjortions of the topA ing inwardly therefrom are rovided at opposite sides of the top 15. T e flanges 28 of these members are suitably fastened as by welding to the under side of the top 15 along the outer edges thereof, and the lower inwardly extending ianges 29 are adapted to enter and slide in vthe grooves 25 between the members 23 and 24.

It will be readily seen through the above outlined construction that the top 15 is slidably mounted in relation to the stationary top 17, which is securely fastened to the body portion of the desk. This extensible top 10 is not limited in its size by the size of the top of the desk since through the construction disclosed it is apparent that the edges of the slidable top could extend in wi th any desired distance of projection from the top of the desk.

The top 15 has a cover of linoleum 15a suitably secured thereon to provide a smooth working surface on the top of the desk, and a like linoleum covering 17a is provided on the stationary top 17.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the slidable metal top 15 has its rearward edve upturned to form a bevel 15b which binds the rearward edge of the linoleum 15, When the top 15 is telescoped and in its normal closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, it is superimposed upon the stationary top 17, and when it is extended, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the surface area of the desk is increased by exposing the linoleum cover 17a of the stationary top V17. v

A safety catch locking device is illustrate in Figs. 5 and 6, which prevents the sliding top 15 from being accidentally withdrawn from telescoped engagement with the stationary top 17 This lock comprises a latch 30 pivotally mounted on a pin 31, which pin is rigidly secured in the channel member 27, which is secured to the slidable top portion 15. The pivot 31 is mounted ofi' center so that the lower end 32 of the latch 30 will be maintained in a downward position by its own weight. The horizontally outward extending portion 23 of the stationary top member 17 is provided with a short slot 35 as illustrated in Fig. 5. This slot is placed near the forward end of the member 23 in alignment with the latch 30, so that the end` V32 of the latch will drop into engagement grasp the forward edge of the slidable desk.

top' 15 and draw it out until the latch 30 leum top 17a and exposing` the surface area of its entire width to provide the necessary amount of required space. When not in use the sliding top tionary top with little 'effort on the part of the user. l

It will be ap arent that the desk top as described may b with a suitable bookkeepers desk, or the top may be made se arate and apart from such a desk and readily ,attached to or detached from any ordinary type of-bookkeepers desk.

I claim:

1. In a desk structure, an adjustable -top comprising a pair of parallel elongated right angle members, means to secure said'right angle members to the top of a desk, a top piece having depending parallel-sides Ithe lower ends of which are flared outwardly, said depending sides being secured complementary to sa1dchannel members to form' elongated grooves therebetween, a pair of parallel U-shaped channel members the lower v parallel elongated grooves therebetween, ar

pair of parallel U-shaped elongated channel members the lower edges of which are adapted to lit and slide in said grooves, and a second top permanently secured to the upper edges of said U-shaped channel members whereby the top is movable therewith.

3. In a desk structure, a'pair of parallel elongated right angle members formed integral with and on either side of a 'lat top, a pair of parallel angular elongated channel members permanently 'secured to said right angle members in a manner Ito form parallel elongated grooves therebetween, a vpair of parallel U-shaped elongated channel -members the lower edges of which are adapted to fit and slide in saidgrooves and the upper edges of which are formed integral with and on either side of a second flat top, a pair of latches pivotally mounted on the inner sides of the U-shaped channel members, anda pair of slots formed inthe elongated right angle members in alignment with said latches and adapted to receive said latches, to 'limit the movement of the U-shaped member.

A. An extensible desk top structure comprising a top having upstanding rail mem-- bers at the back and rearward portions of is telescoped with the sta e manufactured integrally.

the sides thereof, means to secure said top toa desk, a second top having upstanding rail members along the opposing sides subr stantially in alignment with the first mentioned side rails of the first mentioned to and means whereby the first top may sli e relative to the second top and the associated side rails be telescoped therewith.-

' 5. An extensible desk top structure comprising a top having upstanding rail members at the back and rearward; portions thereof the upper edges of which are turned downwardly, a second top havin upstanding rail members along the si e thereof and adapted to' fit and slide in the downturned edges of the rails of the first mentioned top, and means to slide the second top relative to the first to 6. An extensible top desk comprising a rectangular body, a top extending laterall beyond one side of the body and rearwar 1y to a point forwardly of the rear of the body and forming in effect a cutout rear corner, a marginal wall along the rear of said top and along a lateral side, said top comprising a fixe surface member and a slidable surface member in a plane parallel therewith, said members being in overlyi relation when not extended, and a mar i135 wall for the lateral edge of said sli able surface member adjacent said lateral wall of the top to form a lateralwall for the slidable member when in extended position.

7, An extensible top desk comprising a body, a stationary horizontally disposed top member, a slidable horizontally disposed top member, one of said members extending laterally beyond a side of the body member from the front to a point forwardly of the rear of the body forming a cutout rear corner effect, said slidable member movable to a 4forwardly extended osition, and a vertically upstanding wall orming a marginal w'all for a lateral edge of said movable member when in its extended position, said top members being in overlying relation when not extended.

8. An extensible top desk comprising a body, va stationary horizontally disposed top member, a slidable horizontally disposed top member, one of said members extending laterally beyond aside of the body member from the front to a point forwardly' of the rear of. the body forming a cutout rear corner, said slidable member movable to a forwardly' extended position, a vertically upstandin wall forming a marginal wall for l a latera edge of said movable member when in its extended position, said top'members being in overlying relation when not extended, and means for. maintaining said movable member in a plane parallel with said fixed member whenextended.

9. An extensible top desk comprising a body, a substantially horizontal top kcover- -body an' a slidable sur ace member, in a plane parallel therewith, said members being in overlying relation when not extended, -and a vertlcally upstanding wall member forming a mar 'nal wall for a lateral edge ofsai movab e member when in its forwardly extended position.

10. An extensible to desk comprising a body, a top for the esk havi a cutout rear corner and a ortion forwar ly of said corner extending aterally be ond one side of the body, a xed u stan 'ng marginal wall along the rear e ge of the top and along the lateral edges to points forwardly of the rear, said top com rising a fixed to surface member and a top surface member in a plane parallel therewith, and means forming a lateral 'marginal wall for the movable surface member when in its extended osition.

11. An extensible top rectangular body, a top for the des having a cutout lateral rear cornerand a portion forwardly `of said corner extending laterally beyond the side of the body, a fixed u standing marginal wall along the rear si e,

along the lateral wall-of the body at the cutout corner and along the opposite lateral wall, substantially to the front of the top, said top com rising a fixed top surface member and a orwardly movab e top surface member in substantially the same horizontal plane therewith, said surface members being in overlapping relation'when the movable member is in its rearward position, and a longitudinal u standing member forming a marginal wal for the movable member when in its forward position.

12. An extensible top structure for a rectangular desk body, comprising a-low upstanding marginal wall alongl an edge thereof, the top structure comprising a fixed surfacel member and a slidable surface member disposed in a plane parallel therewith and slidable in a dlrection parallel with the wall to provide, when thus extended, a broad substantially flat open continuous working surface of enlarged area, the members being in overlying relation when the slidable member is not extended, and a slidable marginal wall for the slidable surface member forming, when the latter is in its extended position, substantially an extended continuation of the first nntioned upstanding wall.

13. A unitary extensible top structure for detachable securement to a rectangular body unit, comprising a fixed marginal wall along orwardly slidab e esk com rising a.

the rear edge and a lateral side edge thereof,

they top structure comprising a fixed surface member vand a forwardly slidable surface p 14. A commercial bookkeepers desk comprisin a unitary cabinet body of rectangular ase, a top structure for detachable securement thereto comprising a fixed to surface member coextensive at its rear an lateral edges with the vertical projection of the cabinet body, a slidable top surface member coextenslve at one lateral edge with the corresponding body side but at its other edge substantially overhan in the corresponding lateral wall of theory, said overhanging portion extendingrearwardly only to a point a spaced distance forwardlyof the rear wall of the bod and rearwardly of that point its lateral e ge extending only to vthe corresponding lateral wall of the body, means on said to ably supporting thel s idable member for forward extension to overhang substantiall the front wall of the body, a fixed upstan ing marginal wall for the lixed member along the rear and adjacent portions of the lateral edges thereof, and an u standing lateral wall carried by the sli able member .at the marginal edge thereof opposite the laterally overhanging portion and telescoping with the fixed upstanding wall to form in effect an extension thereof when the slidable to member is extended.` l

15. he combination with a sheet metal desk of the class described comprising a rectangular body unit and a sheet metal' top structure therefor substantially co-extensive with the vertical projection of the body at the rear and one lateral side thereof but at the opposite side and forwardly of the rear, extendlng considerably beyond the lateral wall of the body to overhang the same leav-r ing a cut-out rear corner at said opposite s1de and wherein the top structure has a low upstanding wall along the rear edge and' along a portion of each contiguous-lateral edge and wherein the top structurep'resents an edge of substantial thickness along the .front including the laterally overhanging portion,of means for forwardly extendlng the top structure, includingsaid front edge, to provide a continuous o en working surface of increased area considerably over- -hanging the front wall vof the body, said structure for slidmeans being included in the top structure and comprising a fixed rearward top surface member, a second top surface member of sheet metal extending substantially from 5 the first-mentioned lateral edge to the lateral edge of the laterally over-hanging portion and carrying an exposed downward thickness-simulating flange along substantially its entire front edge, and means on the 10 top structure for slidably mounting the second surface member for reciprocation from a rearward position superposed upon the fixed surface member with the horizontal projection of the latter within said front 15 flange, to a forward suspended position overhanging the front wall of the body, at which position any vertical offset between the fixed and slidable surface members is less than the height of said flange. 20 In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17 day of March, 1927.

' GEORGE W. SCHULZ.

DISCLAIMER 1,765,742.-George W. Schulz, Cleveland, Ohio. BooKKEEPERs DESK. Patent ldated June 24, 1930. Disclaimer iled July 11, 1932,' by theassignee, Yawman and Erbe lllfg. 00. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 15 of said patent which is in the following words, to-Wlt:

v 15. The combination with a sheet metal desk of the class described comprising a rectangular body unitand a sheet metal top structure therefor substantially cof extenslve withthe vertical projection of the body at the rear and one lateral side thereof, but at the opposite vside and forwardly of the rear, extending considerably beyond the lateral wall of the body to overhang the same leaving a cut-out rear corner atl said opposite side and wherein the top structure has a low upstanding Wall along the rear'edge and along a portion of each contiguous lateral edge and wherein the top structure presents an edge of substantial thickness along the front including the laterally overhanging portion,-of means for forwardly extending the top structure, mcluding said front edge, to provide a continuous open working surface of increased area considerably'overhanging the front wall of the body, said means being included in the top structure and comprising a ixedrearward top surface member, a second top surface member of sheet metal extending substantially from the first-mentioned lateral ed el to the lateral edge of the laterally overhanging portion `and carrying an expose downward thickness-simulating ilange along substantially its entire front edge, and means on the top structure for slidably mounting the second surface member for rec1procation from a rearward position superposed upon the fixed surface member w1th the horizontal projection of the latter within said front flange, to a forward suspended position overhanging the front wall of the body, at which position any vertical offset between the fixed and slidable surface members is less than the height of said flange.

[Ofic/al Gazette August 2, 1932.1, 

